Willoughby's Lakefront Business District getting boost

Karen Tercek, president & CEO for Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce and Mark Cain, Lakefront Business Association member are planning a business walk for June 7 in north Willoughby.

Sandwiched between Mentor and Eastlake is a little stretch of lakefront belonging to Willoughby.

Instead of just passing through, Willoughby community leaders are working to give motorists reason to stop and stay a spell, and spend some money in the process.

Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a business walk along Lake Shore Boulevard and part of Lost Nation Road, to showcase what the area has to offer.
The walk is from 10 a.m. to noon June 7, starting with coffee and donuts at 38459 Lakeshore Blvd., just west of Lost Nation. The intent is to generate interest in several commercial properties.

It is among many measures taken in recent years to bolster to the city’s Lakefront Business District.

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“There’s no business district like this nearby,” said chamber President/CEO Karen Tercek.

“It’s a concentrated area in terms of business potential. … It’s more of a gathering place, with the park across the street.”

Forty-five-acre Osborne Park could be called the cornerstone of the revitalization effort. It is the main attraction in the mile-long district, that is home to the Lakefront Outdoor Market and other new events, and is targeted for a host of improvements this year.

“We have always had a focus towards our lakefront area,” said Janice Lipscomb, Willoughby community development manager, noting the more than $1.8 million invested in the park’s water/pool facility and about $75,000 in upgrades to the Willoughby Memorial Gardens cemetery.

Zoning changes made in 2012 allow for a mix of commercial, retail and residential development and redevelopment along Lakeshore and Lost Nation, to increase population density to support existing businesses and draw new ones.

Last year, the city implemented the Lakefront Façade Improvement Grant Program that reimburses property/businesses owners for exterior improvements. And the whole district is part of the city’s Community Reinvestment Area, making it eligible for tax abatements.

“The big change is that now we have an active business association working within the area to highlight the businesses and amenities,” Lipscomb said.

Signs of life
Investor Mark Cain of Eastlake took advantage of the new grant program a couple of years ago, when he bought the century-old yellow brick building at the southwest corner of Lakeshore Boulevard and Lost Nation Road.

“We’ve got it looking beautiful again,” said Cain, who helped establish the Lakefront Business Association. “It was a very positive experience.”

The group gets about 20 to 30 people per meeting, including young professionals who have donated services to help spur progress.

“They were scared they would have to move out, because the area was deteriorating,” Cain said. “So they have interest in seeing it rebuilt.”

Along with the weekly farmer’s market — on Sundays from June through September — association events aimed at drawing attention to the district include Hidden Treasures by the Lake flea market and the Fall Food Fest, featuring a pig roast.

There are about 30 businesses comprising the district, including Brandt’s Candies, Charlotte’s Ice Cream, Lakeside Certified Automotive and JT’s Diner, the owner of which purchased land across from Osborne Park for a new restaurant.

“Not all are participating in the business walk, but all have had an impact on the district,” Lipscomb said.

The city has two active business districts, the other being in the city’s burgeoning downtown area.

“The downtown district and the lakefront district are very different with a different focus — downtown with restaurants, entertainment and shopping; lakefront with one of the greatest natural resources in Ohio — Lake Erie — bringing opportunities for recreation, lakefront living and associated businesses.”

Lake access is among city leaders’ priorities. Roughly $300,000 has been budgeted for improvements to the park during the next three years. This year, plans include adding walking trails, improving the road within the park, and adding a parking lot, pavilion and playground near the lake.

Overcoming obstacles
The biggest challenge in the lakefront district is the shallow, narrow lots, making it difficult to build and have ample space for parking, Lipscomb said. Another issue is lack of population to support office and retail users.

So city officials amended setback regulations and zoning requirements, the latter to allow for single-family and multifamily housing in the commercial district.

New businesses are starting to pop up, including Peppino’s Pizza, in Cain’s building; car repair facilities; and plans for a popcorn shop, among others, Tercek said.

“We need more and more of that,” she said, adding that she would like to see boutique-type stores, a neighborhood grocery and more restaurants.

“If you look down the street on Lost Nation, there’s are a lot of side streets with manufacturing companies… that could be coming down here for lunch instead of going elsewhere. It’s right here; it’s so convenient.”

RSVP for the business walk to the Chamber office: 440-942-1632 or info@wwlcchamber.com. Walk-ins also are welcome.